Day #2 More Moscow

We started the day off by eating a good hearty breakfast: cheese sandwhiches.

Then we went to a museum in Moscow. Also known as a gallery. It was full of paintings. I took this picture of a beautiful chandalier and they said in Russian something like that I was not supposed to take pictures there. BOO!This is leaving the museum. It's okay to take pictures where you put your coat on. As awesome as the museum was I was still trying to adjust to the time change so I kept going to different parts of the gallery and falling asleep. NO GOOD but don't worry, we still saw lots.

We walked around Moscow which was awesome to see all of the different buildings and the city. Then we arrived back at Red Square. This time to enter the wall that surrounds that Kremlin and see that the inside is like. I loved the wall because I felt like it was really one of those olden day castles surrounded by the huge wall that you always hear about in fairy tales - which it was!Next we saw: Tsar Cannon and Bell – two cases in point refuting the old adage ‘bigger is better’, the Tsar Cannon and Bell are as impressive as they are useless. The 40-tonne cannon, designed to add meat to the Kremlin’s defensive fire-power, never fired shot, and the 202-tonne bell never rang on account of an 11-tonne chunk falling off during the cooling period of its construction. HAHA! But I saw them! ;^)


We went to a National Park which was pretty awesome! It was BEAUTIFUL and I can only imagine how breathtaking it would be in the summer time. There was a forest behind this river that we hiked through (and up) to a lookout point. The city was beautiful and I am glad that we did it at night just to see the lights and all.

I wanted to walk on the ice of the river but if you look at the picture above, apparently it was not frozen enough for that! BOO!

Red Square, Moscow Russia

This is what I have decided to do instead of work today. LOL. No good. But I decided to write a little bit about Russia. The first place that we went to well the first day was Sunday, so we went to church but the following day we went to Red Square. It was AMAZING!!! I love it! Here is a little about it from Wikipedia:

"Red Square is the most famous city square in Moscow, and arguably one of the most famous in the world. The square separates the Kremlin, the former royal citadel and currently the official residence of the President of Russia, from a historic merchant quarter known as Kitay-gorod. As major streets of Moscow radiate from here in all directions, being promoted to major highways outside the city, the Red Square is often considered the central square of Moscow and of all Russia."

Here is a little of what we saw there:The State Historical Museum.St. Basil's Cathedral. It was beautiful inside. Floor to entire ceiling and back down was hand painted so ornately. I can't imagine the time it took them to do it. It was incredible and every hallway and room was different, unique, and just amazing.The mall on Red Square.The church of the trinity in Nikitniki: The view of buildings of the square walking into the mall:

It was so fun to learn about the history of Russia while I was there. I have never been much of a history buff but it was so facinating. There is definitely something to say about being somewhere sparking interest to learn about it! There will be more to come, as for now, I better go back to work!

Spontaneous Russia

Spontaneous \Spon*ta"ne*ous\,
a. [L. spontaneus, fr. sponte of free will, voluntarily.]
1. Proceding from natural feeling, temperament, or disposition, without constraint;
2. Proceeding from, or acting by, internal impulse, energy, without external force; as, spontaneous motion;


I have decided to be spontaneous. I purchased a ticket last night and if my VISA comes in time I will be heading to Russia on December 26. I will visit Moscow and St. Petersburg for 2 weeks. I told an old Bishop from my mission that I was going on a spontaneous trip and wouldn't be in UT when they came to visit. He asked where I was going and I said, "Russia." He said, "Russia!? ... A trip to Russia is not spontaneous. You want spontaneous go to Le Baeu's. That is spontaneous." LOL. We love Bishop Stewart and I am sad I will miss him and his family. However, I hear now is a good time to go because the Russians hate for American's is supposedly supposed to get worse. (I am going to try and look Russian.)

Anyways, just wanted to let everyone in on the excitement - let's hope my VISA comes by Tues. or Wednesday at the latest because Friday morning I am boarding a plane to Moscow!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




A little bit of what I am going to see in Moscow & Saint Petersburg:

The Kremlin and Red Square (1156 - 1850) Moscow, RussiaBuilt as a residence for Ivan I, the Kremlin was the official residence of the Czars until the 1917 Russian Revolution. Today, it still houses the President’s office. In front of the Kremlin is Red Square – an impressive and exuberant plaza which, for many people, is associated with the infamous May Day demonstrations. Rising from the square is St Basil's Cathedral, built in the 1550s to commemorate Ivan the Terrible's capture of the Mongol stronghold of Kazan.

The Christmas Spirit - Truly lasts all year long

I absolute love everyone in my life! They amaze me and teach me every day. Here are some examples:

I came home from Africa and when people would ask about the trip, I would tell them all about it! I love those kids and I love talking about them. People would ask if it was a shock to see their living circumstances and I would without a moment of hesitation say, "yes!" I gave examples of what I saw being there and shared my feelings with them. They typically would nod and say, "yes. you have learned alot. we are truly so blessed." and then they walk away. BUT THEN there is that one person who doesn't stop thinking about what I have told them. That one person who can't get the kids off their minds. And they decide that they want to help. For me that one person has come as a few.

First of all, my aunt Christie. She asked about my trip and I told her about the place, the children, and the stories. One story I told her was about how while holding a little boy he fell asleep in my arms and soon enough wet his pants. I mentioned that they don't have underwear there and so it quickly went from his bum to my legs. I recieved a phone call from her shortly after telling her this story and she had decided that she wanted to do something to help. She asked me to come speak to her RS at an Enrichment activity and give a presentation on humanitarian work and my experience in Africa. In return all the women in her ward would bring one package of underwear for the children at the orphanage. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I gave the presentation and was touched that nearly all the women were crying. Their ward donated almost 300 pairs of underwear for the orphanage. Knowing that there were more than that my mom and Grandma decided they needed to step in. My Grandma made the decision to not buy so many gifts for each other this year and donate all money to underwear for Africa. Her and my mom raised another 300 pairs of underwear and earlier this month the underwear was presented to the children at the orphanage. Each child now has ONE PAIR of underwear... and are so thankful for that. Imagine if we had only one pair?

I have since recived letters from workers in Uganda who are so thankful for the underwear. Their joy makes me so happy and I can't wait to let those who partipated know the impact their contribution made. The one pair of underwear each child recieved is going to improve sanitation at the orpahange by leaps and bounds... imagine! It's so exciting!

NEXT... My neighbors are amazing people. After telling them of my experience they called me and said, "We want to do something." They told me their idea and read me a poem. I couldn't help but cry because I thought of the truth of it as I heard it and the children't faces and small bodies. This is the poem written by Craig Adams:

"Hyde Park is such a special place to live and be a part,

Each person we have known here holds a place within our heart.

All our children go to school, we have enough to eat,

We have a home in which to live, our lives are so complete.

As we thought of how rich we're blessed, there grew a great desire,

To do something for someone else whose circumstance is more dire.

Jenny Jarrett spent time in Africa and is going there again.

Her stories and pictures touched us deep; with poverty we're not akin.

The stories of kids who have no clothes or even underwear,

We can't see all we now have and pretend not to care.

There are those who don't have the funds to simply go to school,

We hope that maybe just for one, our excess could be a tool.

So for our neighbor gift this year, we hope you'll understand,

We're giving what we'd spend on you to lend a helping hand.

Know that we sure love you and appreciate all you do.

We send a Merry Christmas from our families to you!

And as you read this silly poem, we hope it warms your heart,

Because in our small contribution, you too have been a part."

This is a Christmas story that I know will touch the children in Africa and will make a difference in their lives. I know my life has been blessed by the people I am surrounded by and by the things they do to teach me each day. I am grateful that we are blessed to have the spirit of Christ in our lives all througout the year!

Once the children are done with 6th grade they are done with school at the orphanage. Many are then out on the street. Secondary school (what we know as high school) is $300 a semester and raising that much money is almost impossible for many there. I do hope that small contributions of many will bless the lives of these children. If they go to secondary schools their lives can change so much and more opportunities will suddenly become available to them. They are some of the most loving, precious, eager children you could ever meet. I love them and miss them and can't wait to see them again. I just wanted to share with you my love for everyone and how grateful I am for those who love unconditionally and without question want to help those they have never met!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!

Lubbock, Texas

On November 19, 2006...

I gave my homecoming speech in church. I was officially home from my mission as of November 17 and that means I have been home from my mission for 2 years!!! Ack! Can you believe it!? It's gone by fast but I still look back every single day and wish that I could be a missionary again! Life is good and I do love it. It is good to be home around family & friends and have the opportunity to date and go to school and work and have new experiences but there is just something special about missions and I miss it SO MUCH! I miss teaching the gospel and focusing on others all day ever day and I miss the AMAZING people that I got to meet and spend time with. I try my hardest to still be a missionary every day and I do have a few amazing stories to tell with that, but this post isn't about me... This post is about my younger sister Allison...

On November 19, 2008...

Alli got her mission call!!!! She got called to the Lubbock, TX mission and she leaves January 21, 2009!!! I am so excited for her to go and I know that she will be a great missionary and that it will be an amazing experience for her. But at the same time last night I was hanging out with my friends and I said, "I can't wait for two years to pass..." they asked why and I said, "because that means my little sister will be home from her mission!" They laughed and were like, "Oh geez Jen she hasn't even left yet..." but it's gonna be hard to be the one left at home this time! I love Alli and I hope her all the best!!!!!! She is gonna be an awesome missionary and I can hardly wait to hear her stories!!! CONGRATS SISTAH!!!!!She was SO EXCITED! She was like, "Oh! Oh my gosh! YAY!!!!" (I think she would have been

like that with where ever she got called. lol)

Grinning Away!
Alisha, Allison, Annika, and myself. Me and Annika don't have make-up on... but I still thought it was a cute pic! ;)

Presidential Campaign 2008

I got this sticker Thursday after I early voted!!! Woot Woot!!! I actually kinda enjoy elections because I enjoy learning what the different candidate's stand for and being able to take part in voting for the things I believe in. Either way I hope that whatever happens is best for America. I have heard "the lesser of two evils" a lot during this campaign and I know that neither candidate is probably anyone's ideal candidate, but I hope that everyone is willing to try to make a difference... just get on out there and vote! Whoop Whoop!

Oh and don't forget if you don't vote, you can't complain! :)

I'm an Intern!!!!!

Things have fallen into place and I have been so blessed to be able to get an internship position with a travel magazine!!! I am so excited. My friend Nolan and I were sitting in class going through his e-mail (making good use of our time) and he had gotten e-mails regarding internships for the journalism major. He asked if I wanted any and I was like, "Nah.." because most of them were out of Logan and I still have to finish up one more semester. Well we saw one needing an editor for a travel magazine here in Logan, UT!!! I was like, "Why don't you send me that one?!" I forgot about it and a couple weeks later (last week) e-mailed the guy and asked if the position was still available. He said he asked me to send him some a cover letter, resume, and two articles I had written. Then he responded asking me if I was available for an interview on Saturday. (You betcha!) So I was the first interview of the day, and very nervous. I went after the homecoming parade and that morning had woken up with a migraine coming on that reached it's high point during the interview. But, I did think that the interview went really good; however, he did act concerned that A) I wasn't a journalism major and he didn't know how this would benefit me and B) that I was graduating in one semester and didn't know where I would be. Well editing and designing layout fits perfectly into the technical writing major (let's be honest, like everything fits into our major if it has to do with words) and so he contacted me yesterday asked me to look into getting credits for the internship and today told me I got the position. So soon my name will appear in a magazine under the words, "Editor"!!!!! Ahhhhh!!!! I am so excited. I feel like it is such a blessing and that everything worked out so perfectly. Yay! I am so happy!

There was a wedding!!!!

Since I told Virginia folk that I would post some pics of Sister Karren's wedding... here they are! It was a beautiful day and the weather was perfect!! They did some fun stuff that I didn't really ever think of before but her diamond is a circle set in square shaped white gold. The circle inside the square I learned symbolizes eternity. I thought that was neat. He has the same symbol engraven upon his ring. :) Here are some pics!

Mission buddies for life! Sister Alison Lord (my MTC companion and Sister Karren's old companion), Sister Karren, and me... Sister Jarrett :)

My little niece who came to visit me, awe... love her!